Lorna Doone - the Romance and Drama of Exmoor
- Jane
- Feb 19
- 4 min read
Lorna Doone is one of the most famous female characters of English literature and the central character of the novel by JD Blackmore. First published in 1869, Lorna Doone made Exmoor famous and still attracts visitors keen to tour Somerset and Devon, and experience the romance and drama of Exmoor where the story takes place. If you are already a fan of the Lorna Doone novel, or are interested in learning more about the characters and the landscape, then booking a stay at Woodleigh Cottage is a great way to start. Woodleigh is pretty, cosy and full of rustic charm with a log fire and a romantic double bedroom and private garden. A great base from which to explore Lorna Doone country.
The Lorna Doone Story and Dulverton
Lorna Doone is set in 17th Century England, after the Civil War, following the restoration of King Charles II to the throne. It follows the discovery, by John Ridd, that a beautiful girl he met briefly when a boy, has been kidnapped and he decides he has to rescue her from the remote spot on the moor where she has been imprisoned by her captors.
Dulverton is the setting for the two lovers' early encounter in this famous romantic tale, when travellers across Exmoor had to contend with dangerous roads and marauding outlaws. A young John Ridd meets the beautiful Lorna when her family’s coach stops in the town for a change of horses and she asks him, imperiously, to fetch her a glass of water.
A wonderful statue of Lorna Doone, close to the Exmoor National Park headquarters, marks the spot where this encounter took place, near the Masonry Arch bridge that spans the River Barle. You’ll find this statue just a five minute walk away from Woodleigh Cottage. It’s also a great opportunity to combine your short walk with a visit to The Bridge Inn for a taste of local ales, good food and wines.
Exmoor National Park
Exmoor was designated a National Park in 1954 and the Exmoor National Park Authority aims to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of Exmoor while promoting opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities by the public.
Woodleigh Cottage - stepping back in time
Parts of Woodleigh Cottage date back over 500 years and we have preserved many of the architectural features that have survived from the period in which Lorna Doone is set, with one of two modern improvements, such as central heating and running hot water!
Woodlands House and Woodliving's low roofline and tall chimneys makes it a local landmark as you approach Dulverton along Jury Road. Woodleigh Cottage is in the garden of Woodliving. In Lorna Doone, John Ridd’s Uncle Huckaback, a merchant, lives in a similar house in the town.
The Lorna Doone Valley
The Lorna Doone novel has been widely reprinted and also produced as a TV drama and film many times, appealing to each new generation, with its drama of two young people’s love. It takes place during a turbulent period of English history - of lawless roads, political intrigue, the Monmouth rebellion and more, all set against a backdrop of Exmoor’s beautiful moorland and steep, wooded combes.
From Woodleigh Cottage, you can pack a picnic and head on to the moor to discover the places described in the story, to Chibbet Post near Exford, to Lorna Doone Farm at Malmsmead and on to Badgeworthy Water.
Or travel by car further north and discover medieval Dunster, the coast and Porlock before heading on to St Mary’s Church at Oare, where key events in the story unfold.
After a pleasant tour over Exmoor’s beautiful moorland, you can head back for a relaxing pot of tea and cake at the house, or a drink at the Bridge Inn, where John Ridd first set eyes on Lorna.
More details here about the Lorna Doone Valley.
Further recommended reading;
You can find Lorna Doone in most bookshops and online stores but you might really enjoy losing yourself in Dulverton’s own antiquarian bookshop Rothwell and Dunworth
The Exmoor National Park provides a useful resource for planning your excursions across the moor
A visit to Dulverton’s Heritage Centre will also give you more ideas for getting the best out of your stay and you might also enjoy the Model Railway but check first to see when its open
One reason for the enduring popularity of Lorna Doone was that it was published just as the railways were opening up West Somerset and North Devon. By 1873, the railway network had reached Dulverton, connecting westwards from Taunton to Barnstaple, making the area more accessible for the first time. This gave readers a chance to discover locations described in the novel.
We look forward to welcoming you to Exmoor and helping you enjoy your stay, perhaps spending some of your time discovering the Lorna Doone Trail. You can book your next holiday or weekend away here https://www.woodlandsholidays.com/booking
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